EMERGENCY BREATHER SYSTEM TRAINING IMPROVES EVACUATION SURVIVAL

Offshore workers can now train in using Emergency Breather Systems (EBS) in simulated helicopter ditching at South Tyneside College.

(PRWEB) August 9, 2003 -- Ian Cullen, Director at the Marine Safety Training Centre (MSTC), said: The main benefit of EBS training here is that our purpose-built facility can simulate the experience of a helicopter ditching and capsizing at sea. Our Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainer (HUET) and survival pool are an excellent resource to help get to grips with such a vital piece of equipment."

South Tyneside College is the National Nautical Centre of Excellence and across its specialist facilities encompasses the whole range of nautical disciplines, including the training of deck and engineering cadets, marine simulation and safety. The MSTC was opened in 1972 and extended to include the dedicated survival pool in 1994 to help provide for the increasing training needs of the offshore industry.

EBS training is the most recent requirement for this industry. For some time military pilots have been supplied with an emergency breathing supply for use during escape, but these devices were not available to civilians -- such as those working offshore.

It is now mandatory for all workers in the Dutch sector of the North Sea to have undergone the training and the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association has decided that those in the UK sector should follow suit.

Air Pocket Plus, the EBS equipment used by the College, consists of a pressurised cartridge which inflates a bag or 'lung upon contact with water using a hydrostatic firing mechanism. It has been designed to address the 'cold shock that passengers may suffer on immersion and which can cause them to involuntarily gasp when they need to breathe. Cold shock also increases heart rate and blood pressure and can lead to hyperventilation and aspiration of water.

Ian Cullen said: The emergency equipment is comfortable to wear, very effective and could save your life in the event of having to ditch at sea. Although it is easy to use, this does not diminish the importance of proper training and practice.

At the MSTC we provide a safe, controlled environment to build up the confidence, knowledge and skills needed. There will be a considerable need to ensure the competence and safety of the offshore workforce through basic and refresher survival courses as the new requirements take hold."

ENDS